Simon Walsh

If you game on PlayStation, you may be aware of some things Xbox offers that have no direct competition from Sony. Xbox Game Pass is one of those things. The closest Sony gets is with PlayStation Now, which relies solely on streaming. For those unfamiliar, this Xbox offering allows users to download and play games on their console as if they own them with no streaming required. Now Microsoft has taken this service even further with its announcement of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks. It doesn’t cost extra and will give subscribers DLC, in-game content, and more. Continue reading for further details.
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With the full implications of COVID-19 still bearing down on us, some companies are stepping up to the plate and attempting to bolster services as many daily activities have come to a halt. Free Sling TV availability has been announced today and while it doesn’t include access to the full catalog, everyone will be able to stream “news, plus thousands of shows and movies for the whole family, with no paid Sling TV account required.” Continue reading to learn more.
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Over the last few year’s we’ve seen many major tech companies try to tackle handwriting and note-taking on tablets. Even the most inexpensive iPad supports Apple Pencil, an accessory that used to be a Pro-tier feature found only at the top of the Apple’s tablet lineup. Just when things seemed to be leveling out, reMarkable 2 has taken the stage and has snatched the crown for “world’s thinnest tablet” thanks to a mere 4.7mm thinness. It goes all-in on doodling and note-taking with an E Ink display and a “high-precision” Marker that’s bundled with pre-orders. Continue reading to learn more.
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Update 3/20 @ 4:09 p.m.: After popping jumping back up in price the last couple of days, Amazon is now offering Google Pixel Slate 1.1GHz m3/8GB/64GB for $454.83 shipped.

Amazon is offering the Google Pixel Slate 1.1GHz m3/8GB/64GB for $455.08 shipped. That’s another $44 off its recent price drop from $799 and comes within $6 of the lowest Amazon offer we have tracked. Whether you’re a Chrome OS veteran or simply wanting to take it for a spin, Pixel Slate is a great option to consider. Since the OS and device are made by Google, you know that both hardware and software are made with each other in mind. It boasts a large 12.3-inch display that’s ready for split-screen multitasking or working on large Google Docs. Rated 4+ stars from over 70% of reviewers. Peek at our review to learn more.
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Well that didn’t take long. Just a matter of hours after Microsoft unveiled tons of Xbox Series X details including its new expansion card technology, Seagate has officially taken the wraps off a compatible offering. The new Seagate Storage Expansion Card tops out at 1TB of storage and is built in direct partnership with Microsoft’s Xbox division. This means that it takes full advantage of the Xbox Velocity Architecture, delivering performance that is said to be identical to what’s found inside Xbox Series X. Continue reading to learn more.

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Roughly 1-year after the makers of LittleBigPlanet announced early access availability to its Dreams game, Media Molecule has begun paving a way for players to make money by selling their own creations. Perhaps the most interesting part of this news is that Media Molecule states content made is owned solely by its creator, allowing any sales to be negotiated without a need to split revenue. Continue reading to learn more.

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Tag Heuer has bolstered its large lineup of watches today with an updated version of its Wear OS-powered smartwatch. This update makes it the third iteration of Tag Heuer Connected the company has shipped. Some of the upgrades include a new Snapdragon 3100 processor, sensor additions for improved activity tracking, alongside a higher-resolution OLED display. As you might expect, this smartwatch chases the high-end with a price that obliterates what you’ll spend on something like TicWatch. Continue reading to learn more.

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While it’s far from what Microsoft has done with a brand new Age of Empires game, EA is following in the footsteps of many other video game companies by remastering some of its iconic games. Of its many titles, Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is comprised of Red Alert, Tiberian Dawn, and three expansion packs which include Covert Ops, Counterstrike, and The Aftermath. While the project has been public knowledge since October 2018, EA is starting to show us more of what is behind the curtain with a release date and trailer. Continue reading for more details.

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Leviton seems to have opened the floodgates with new smart devices rolling out left and right. Just last month it took the wraps off both a light switch with Alexa inside and its 4-speed ceiling fan controller. The new Leviton 4-Button Controller is the latest offering to join the Decora Smart line-up. As you’d expect, it seamlessly ties in with other Leviton products, but the real magic comes with IFTTT-compatibility.
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Optoma has been on a roll lately. The company just unveiled laser projectors with up to 4,200-lumen output and only one week later it has taken the wraps of “the world’s first 240Hz, 4K UHD home theater projector.” This technology is made specifically for gaming, and even then, PCs are currently the only way to take full advantage of what the new Optoma UHD50X projector has to offer as readily-available consoles tend to top out at 60Hz. Optoma UHD30 and HD146X have also been announced today. Continue reading to learn more.

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While hopping from restaurant to restaurant can be fun, many would agree that there’s something special about making a delicious dinner at home for the whole family. Well, I guess part of it depends on how tasty and adventurous it is. Thankfully the Gozney Outdoor Oven is here and it’s bound to add a little spice to what’s currently going on in most kitchens. Available in four sizes, the Black Edition oven can be fueled using gas or wood and paves the way towards delectable homemade pizza.

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Shortly after G-Shock debuted a Bruce Lee-inspired offering, Swatch has taken the wraps off of a new watch influenced by the model Q wears in the new James Bond film, No Time To Die. As you may have expected, this watch will be a limited-edition. Only 7007 models of Swatch Q will be made, a number clearly inspired by the ever-famous fictional spy. This watch is based on the Swatch Skin Irony collection that’s only been around since 2018. Continue reading to learn more.
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Whenever a product category gains traction, it often becomes flooded with competition. Early adopters may get to experience the technology sooner than everyone else, but products that follow tend to bring new features that one-up their other challengers. The new Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro is a perfect example of this as it takes package protection to the next level. This new contender can detect deliveries, keep an eye on them, then identify potential thieves and let them know they’re being recorded. Continue reading to find a marketing which shows an example of this technology in action.
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When it comes to shopping, Amazon has become to go-to merchant for many. Arguably quite a bit of this is due the fast delivery timeframes that Amazon bundles with its Prime service. Today the company unveiled that eligible cities will now receive even faster Amazon same-day delivery turnaround times than it had previously offered. This news comes less than a year after it began making 1-day shipping commonplace for Prime members. Continue reading for further details.

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Roughly 6-months after Optoma unveiled its CinemaX P1 Smart 4K Laser Projector, the company is back with three new offerings. Two of these models are Optoma laser projectors with brightnesses that reach up to 4,200-lumens. To put that into perspective, CinemaX P1 has a brightness of 3,000-lumens. Massive 300-inch screen sizes can be achieved and 30,000-hour runtimes yield a theoretical lifespan of around 40-years when watching a full movie each day. Continue reading to learn more.

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With products like Apple Watch having hit the market nearly 5-years ago, many watchmakers long-since jumped on the bandwagon in fear of being left behind. Timex is one of few companies that have held off, but that changes with its latest release. It’s called Timex Ironman and standout features include 25-day battery life alongside an affordable price tag. Phone-free GPS is on-board as well, and surprisingly it doesn’t drain as much battery as you might expect. Continue reading to learn more.
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When it comes to gaming competitively, everything counts. That’s why IOGEAR’s eSport-focused division, Kaliber Gaming, has unveiled KeyMander 2. This accessory ups the ante on console gaming by bringing keyboard and mouse support. Own an Xbox One, but prefer to game with DualShock 4? KeyMander 2 lets you play with whatever controller you prefer. Another standout feature includes the ability to manage gaming profiles from its companion iOS and Android app. Continue reading for more details.

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Just a few weeks after debuting its new X100V, Fujifilm has officially taken the wraps off of its latest mirrorless camera. Serving as a successor to X-T3, the Fujifilm X-T4 retains features like a 26.1-megapixel sensor while adding standout capabilities such as “the world’s fastest 15FPS shooting and a high-speed auto-focus performance.” Other notable upgrades include a flip-out LCD touchscreen display and 5-axis in-body image stabilization which has only been previously available in Fujifilm X-H1. Continue reading for more details.
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Just a few months after Amazon posted new job availability for an upcoming grocery store, the first Amazon Go Grocery location has opened. The new storefront is located on 610 East Pike Street in Seattle, Washington. It boasts a much larger size when compared with Amazon Go locations while also distinguishing itself from Whole Foods Market by offering a wide range of standard grocery items not found at its organic-focused storefronts. Continue reading for more details.

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While we are without a shortage of inexpensive laptops, the implementation is often carried out using cheap materials and less than stellar internal components. A sacrifice of available storage and RAM can often be shed in a Chromebook, but PC laptops generally need power and storage to remain useable for a satisfactory amount of time. This has led to affordable Chromebooks with premium materials, quickly leaving PCs in the dust. A global launch of Honor MagicBook is here to help change this. Continue reading for further details.
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Perhaps now more than ever, we are inundated with a burgeoning supply of watches to choose from. While many have a tendency to look the same, some designs are able to instantly differentiate themselves from the rest of the pack. A new Bruce Lee-inspired watch from G-Shock makes for a prime example. It has debuted as part of the luxury MR-G lineup, which happens to be the best offered by the company. Along with its icon-inspired design, the new Bruce Lee G-Shock watch wields a bit of tech, including Bluetooth, GPS, and solar power. Continue reading to learn more.
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Today HTC unveiled three new VR headsets that join its lineup of offerings. These come hot on the heels of the original HTC Vive Cosmos and have turned a single headset brand into an entire array of offerings. The newly introduced HTC Vive Cosmos headsets are dubbed Elite, XR, and Play. By debuting three new headsets, the company aims to offer a “new family of products tailor-made for VR use-cases of all types.” Each headset can be used wirelessly when purchasing HTC’s optional accessory. Continue reading for further details

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Prior to AirPods Pro, we reviewed a pair of AUKEY’s Key Series earbuds. They caught our attention for a variety of reasons including a USB-C port, support for Qi charging, and a competitive price that undercuts the Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case which retail for $199. Well the company is back at it again with an all-new AirPods Pro competitor that carries over some of the best features found in the model we reviewed while also adding ANC support. Continue reading to learn more.
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While just about any Nerf blaster is bound to be fun, that’s not stopping the company from teaming up with 343 Industries to deliver three new Halo-inspired models. Among the upcoming Nerf Halo blasters are the MA40, SPNKr MicroShot, and Needler MicroShot. That’s right, soon you will be able to wield your very own Needler. Continue reading for more details.
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Details surrounding Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are beginning to surface. As with any console debut, one of the most important questions is which games will in fact be available at launch. Thankfully the curtain has been pulled a bit further back as we now know that Rainbow Six Siege will be among the initial rollout list. While not a new game, Rainbow Six Siege is being readied for next-generation consoles and support for playing with friends on older systems is planned. Continue reading to learn more.

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After initially hearing about the rare Nintendo PlayStation auction, we suggested that it could sell for over a million dollars. While it has yet to go that far, the listing is well over a third of the way there with 20-days left until the final bid seals the deal. As of this moment the price rests at $350,000 which is still underneath the $471,000 fetched by a functional Apple-1. Among the list of interested buyers is Palmer Luckey who is known as the founder Oculus VR. This should not come as a huge shock, considering that Oculus VR was sold to Facebook in 2014 for $3 billion. Continue reading for more details.
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Whether you’re a seasoned professional or simply looking to get started with DSLR photography, Canon’s fresh product announcements make it clear that it wants your business. Headlining the new Canon DSLRs is a full-frame EOS R5 with a newly designed CMOS sensor, image processor, and the ability to shoot 8K video.

Next up we have the Canon Rebel T8i. Instead of chasing professionals, this model is poised to be more entry-level, but doesn’t slack off when it comes to features. Canon says it’s the “highest-performing Rebel camera” with a feature set that includes a 24-megapixel sensor, DIGIC 8 image processor, and 4K video capabilities. Continue reading for more details.

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While it’s commonplace for startups to take a shot at an entirely new product category, it tends to occur much less frequently with large, well-known brands like Sony. Sure it’s not entirely new, Sony’s second iteration of its remote control speaker hybrid is quite interesting. It resembles a Bluetooth speaker, yet easily distinguishes itself with a plethora of buttons along the top for controlling a TV. An included charging dock makes it very simple to top off the built-in battery. Continue reading to learn more.
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When it comes to Apple accessory makers, few can rival the brand cachet that Twelve South has garnered. Part of this is due in part to the company’s Apple-only approach which arguably helps it deliver products that pair extremely well with Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, and more. With a vast number of accessories in its portfolio, the company is far from taking a break with a new MacBook stand offering called Twelve South Curve SE. Continue reading to learn more.

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My Arcade is back at it again with a new game console called Retro Champ. It accepts both NES and Famicom cartridges, giving you a reason to dust off those vintage games you have in storage. By taking this approach, My Arcade paves the way for you to play whatever game you desire without needing to wait for Nintendo to bring it to Switch Online. Unlike other classic consoles, Retro Champ can be connected to a TV or played on-the-go. Continue reading to learn more.
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Having dove into the Alexa ecosystem over a year ago, one might think that I would have largely discovered its compatible smart home gear. While I have certainly found several products, it seems I have only scratched the surface of what’s currently available and yet to come. In this guide, I’ll shine light on Alexa smart home devices that have caught my attention and clock in at under $50.
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Just 6-months after VAIO debuted its incredibly light, portable, and port-covered 12-inch notebook, the company is back with a hardware update which it says will boost performance by “up to about 40%.” VAIO SX12 can now max out with a 6-core 10th Generation Intel Core U processor and 16GB of RAM. When it comes to I/O, VAIO’s 12-inch laptop positively trounces both MacBook Air and the brand new MacBook Pro thanks to the inclusion of USB-C, DisplayPort, HDMI, Ethernet, SD, and more.
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Face it, for better or worse we are inundated with what seems like an overwhelming list of smart home gear solutions. This alone makes it difficult for companies to differentiate themselves from the competition, but Leviton has done so today with the official release of its Smart Voice Dimmer. This smart light switch sets itself apart from most by giving you yet another place to fire up Alexa. Leviton has also released its Smart Wi-Fi 4-Speed Fan Controller, which works with IFTTT, Alexa, Google Assistant, and more. Continue reading for further details.

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Today marks the 1-year anniversary of when I received my first 3D printer. Knowing this has caused me to reflect on how much I’ve learned and which things I wish I had known sooner. Since I am not a skilled craftsman, one of the things that drew me to 3D printing was the ability to create custom-tailored items at inexpensive price points. While this is true for small items, large prints can be expensive. Continue reading to for helpful 3D printing tips, tricks, and terms that have prepared me to tackle large projects.

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Having recently surpassed the 150 million subscriber milestone, Amazon Prime is becoming ubiquitous across households. While its largest selling point is same, next, and 2-day shipping, there are a plethora of other hidden gems in Prime. One that I have begun taking advantage of is Prime Wardrobe. After debuting as a beta back in 2017, Prime Wardrobe became available to all subscribers in mid-2018. This service lets you select up to 8 articles of clothing to have shipped your way, with no up-front costs. You only pay for what is kept. Continue reading to learn all the ins and outs of Prime Wardrobe.
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With Amazon having revealed its Q4 earnings, there is at least one very notable number worth diving into. The number being referred to here is just how many Amazon Prime memberships the company has sold. As of now, Amazon has surpassed the 150 million member mark, highlighting an increase of 50 million subscriptions in the last two years. Perhaps the juiciest bit of information here is that this last quarter offered the strongest level of growth that Amazon has seen to date. New and upgraded services bundled with the subscriptions are at least partially to thank for this boost.
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I don’t know about you, but I am all about making 2020 simpler than years past. While eliminating items can certainly lead to an easier life, there are some products that should not be given up. So for those things, arguably the next best solution is likely to let someone else do the heavy-lifting. Thankfully Amazon subscription boxes are here to save the day. Continue reading to see my top picks for 2020.
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With loads of smart TV operating systems out there, it can be hard to decide which is right for you. Thankfully switching between platforms is simple in some regards thanks to an increased level of competition to deliver a full ecosystem of products. While Roku initially became known for its streaming devices, an expansive smart TV rollout and recent launches of a sound bar, subwoofer, and wireless speakers have bolstered its strength as a lineup. Today the company is taking its audio products a step further by letting all of them pair together to create a Roku Surround Sound experience.

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After purchasing an Avantree Leaf for my PlayStation 4, I recently got the urge to find a similar product that would allow me to seamlessly pair AirPods with Nintendo Switch when playing portably. After a bit of searching, I came across HomeSpot. This nifty device plugs directly in via USB-C, which ensures it is always powered up and ready to go. I purchased both HomeSpot and HORI Split Pad Pro (recently reviewed). Continue reading to learn about the pros and cons HomeSpot.

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When it comes to the world of monitors, there are a lot of specs that differentiate one from another. This can make it difficult to find a display with the perfect blend of features. The Eve Spectrum lineup sets out to solve this by being “crowd-developed” from the ground up. This means that since its inception, every detail of Spectrum has been “discussed, debated and decided” by over over 7,000 people. These displays feature a ton of ports, high resolutions, and refresh rates that reach up to 240Hz. Continue reading to learn more.
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Technology made with kids in mind is a burgeoning market. Even Amazon has been hard at work with special Echo speakers and Fire tablets filling out its lineup. A new product called Yoto Player is here and it takes a different approach than what’s found in competing devices. It accepts NFC cards that play linked stories, podcasts, and more. Continue reading for additional details.
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Ever since I initially covered the debut of HORI Split Pad Pro, I’ve been anxious to take it for a spin. While my PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch both take up a bit of my time, the portable option has made the latter my go-to console more often than not. One gripe that I have had is that when in portable mode, Nintendo Switch can become uncomfortable to use over time. On top of that, I find Joy-Con joysticks to be very stiff, making any sort of aiming maneuver difficult. This is why I bought HORI Split Pad Pro. I’ve spent more than three weeks with it, continue reading to see what I think.

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A couple weeks after AMD produced an inaccurate render of Xbox Series X, we now have what appears to be real-world photos of the upcoming console. A total of two images began making the rounds on Twitter last night and have since been vouched for by Brad Sams over at Thurrott. One of the photos displays the front of Microsoft’s purported Xbox Series X while the other showcases the back. Of both images in the potential Xbox Series X leak, the rear photo is easily the most interesting as it provides us with a glimpse of what I/O the future of console gaming may hold. Continue reading for more details.
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